The Greatest Comfort - Our Glorious Hope
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
The most significant source of comfort for all believers is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the long-awaited moment when Jesus will fulfill His promise to return and gather all His faithful followers to be with Him. This profound message was shared by the Lord with His disciples in the book of John, chapter 14.
The comforting message in these words applies to all believers, whether alive or deceased, regardless of their Church affiliation. This event is known as the Rapture of the Saints, during which the Lord will come unexpectedly to gather His children and bring them to Heaven.
As we eagerly anticipate His glorious arrival, let us also be enthusiastic about the tasks He has assigned us. The Lord will not only bring us to Heaven, but He is also preparing to reward those who have remained faithful.
2 Corinthians 5:10 - “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
At a pivotal moment, we will face a reckoning to ascertain if we have fulfilled God's purpose and stayed steadfast as we anticipate His arrival. This occasion is known as the Judgment Seat of Christ, where we will stand before Jesus Christ not to be judged for our sins but to evaluate the authenticity and excellence of our Christian endeavors.
To qualify for the rewards, several conditions need to be met:
1. You must have been saved according to the Scripture.
2. You must have undergone Scriptural baptism as Christ did.
3. You must be a member of the Empowered Church, recognized as the sole authority for bearing witness.
4. You must demonstrate abiding faithfulness.
It's incredible to think that our God has not only prepared a place for all His children, but He has also given the faithful the excellent opportunity to be rewarded and to reign with Him. The promise of inheriting an eternal place is a precious blessing, mainly because it means we will be liberated from this life and its inherent sin.
When Christ encouraged us to be faithful and remain in Him, He also assured us rewards for those willing to choose obedience. Every child of God can receive these rewards and be granted a significant ruling position in glory.
Would you choose to embrace this wonderful opportunity and stay committed, or would you instead pursue the promise of heaven without the accompanying rewards?
Our Prayer for today:
What a glorious opportunity You have provided to us, Heavenly Father, to know that with the promise of a Heavenly home, you have allowed us to reap the rewards as promised. May we pursue and set our minds in Your highest desire to glorify and praise Your name forever. Thank You for the gracious and glorious opportunity to have these rewards be laid at the feet of Jesus Christ, who deserves all the glory. In Jesus name, Amen!